The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-08-30
HENRY CLAY.
John u. Harmon's 8soollsotions OF the
Famous Statesman.

John A. Harmon, continuing hib b. Dry
OF his recollections Of tho famous orator
and statesman, ITO leave Washington
Immediately after his speech. The
early fall weather was really the Indian
summer season, and most favorable to
such q Journey as he had in mind. His
speech in the senate chamber, on his
farewell, quite overcamo him. Though
he held to the end under strong mental
influence the orator never rallied again.
Very much exhausted Clay was taken
to his rooms at the old National hotel
at Washington ard never afterwards
left them. The winter came and went;
the session continued with it. Every,
day, right after prayers in the senate,
the chair announced the state OF his
health. The announcements directly
became rather stereotyped. 1t was
usually, Mr.. Clay is gradually falling,
after time it became Mr.. Clay is fail
ing rapidly next we heard Mr.. Clay Isl
sinking, but his mind is very clear.
Finally it came to be understood that
if he should die during the hours Of the
session the bells should toll in an
nouncement of it.
"It was upon morning In tho early,
part Of may, 1862, season beyond all
others most delightfully."- beautiful in
Washington. The trees and shrubs OF
the capitol grounds and the flower beds
were fresh and pleasant to look upon.
"Hannegan Of Indiana, an Irish
man, bright as silver, witty, eloquent
and always interesting, had the floor OF
the senate, making set speech on our
policy with regard to foreign affairs.
His seat was well up toward the rear.
Being Of q quick and nervous Temporal
ment, he took the main aisle, and while
declaiming would work himself for
ward almost to the clerks desk, discov-
ering which, he would bound way back,
going through these motions continu-
onsly until he had finished. Senator
Frye, of Maine, has very much the same
method. A son of Senator Hannegan,
q fine appearing, gray headed man, is
one of the messengers of the senate now.
He frequently asks me about his father.
flanagan was speaking in his quick
impiilsive manner, half way down the
aisle and progressing with an enthusi-
astic sentence, when the single toll OF o
bell quivered through the air. Hanne-
gan ceased speaking in fash, bound
ed back to the rear, turned pale, and in
a tremulous voice said: Mr.. President,
the probabilities are that the great
est statesman in America is now no
more; move that the senate adjourn
There was no chance to vote upon it.
Instantly every man took his hat and
coat, and before the second toll Of the
bell came all were away. The same sort
of proceedings must have dispersed the
house, for remember as We passed
through the rotunda that it was full OF
members issuing therefrom.
"The rapidity with which the city
was thrown into mourning has always
caused me to wonder. Walking direct
from the capitol, when we reached the
edge of the grounds where the peace
monument now is, Pennsylvania avenue
was seen to be filled with streamers Of
black, hanging from windows, fastened
to balconies, wound round columns and
awning poles, and stretched across the
street. 1t was solemn sight.
"The National hotel was thick with
Grape, and so was Morrison's book store,
adjoining it. 1t is the same store still,
now kept by Morrison's son, and former
ly the resort and lounging place of both
Clay and Webster. There were two
little back rooms, one always occupied
by Clay and the other by Webster.
Here, when they had leisure, both
would always be found reading and
studying or discussing literature, new
and old, but very seldom politics, with
friends and admirers who came to
seek them out. Clay passed more time
nj Morrison's than Webster. The little
rooms did not communicate, and neith-
or statesman could be seen by the
other.
The event, though long expected,
shocked people to the extend that all
business was suspended. Many bar
rooms, even, were closed, and in others
men lowered their voices and conversed
in quiet tones, as il in the presence .!
the dead. was in Washington at the
time of the assassination Of Lincoln.
and again at that of Garfield, but
neither event appeared so throw such
gloom over the city as the death OF
Henry Clay. The feeling was one Of
pure sorrow, unmixed with indignation
or anger, such as is felt at the deeds
which led to the murder of the presi-
dents. On these occasions men were
boisterous with threats and grief, but
silence and gloom overspresd the city
where lay the dead body Of the much
loved orator and statesmsp. 1t was in
time Of peace, and the capital was un-
used to such shocks, and therefore men
talked in whispers when all was over
with Henry Clay.
"Ha was hurried In The Conurassinnal